Once again ladies and gentlemen it’s time for dueling press releases from the House Republicans and Democrats, who have totally different opinions on what happened to a bill.

The measure this time was Senate Bill 12-01, the cornerstone of the Democrats’ job package this session. The measure would have given incentives in state contracts to companies that hire Colorado workers and provide benefits.

From the Democrats: “Dems’ HIRE Colorado Act Killed by GOP in Committee.” The news release went on to explain that a good jobs bill died on a party-line vote in a House Committee.

From the Republicans: “House GOP supports job creators, votes down Senate Bill 1.” The news release touts the business groups that opposed the measure, and noted that “union bosses” joined Democrats in supporting the measure.

This afternoon, the Republican National Committee filed a complaint accusing President Obama of misusing taxpayer funds to travel the country – including a stop in Colorado yesterday – for events it says were “widely reported to be equivalent to campaign rallies.”

A franking complaint filed by 5th Congressional District challenger Robert Blaha against Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn for a mailer dispersed by the congressman was dismissed by a U.S. House commission Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Blaha sent a formal complaint to the Commission on Congressional Standards — also known as the Franking Commisssion — outlining four allegations against Lamborn for a mailer that arrived in voter mailboxes in Colorado Springs at the end of March. In the mailer Lamborn touted his National Journal ranking among the “Most Conservative Members of Congress.”

Members of Congress can use taxpayer dollars to communicate with constituents, including sending pieces of mail.

Former Denver Post reporter Mike Soraghan played a practical joke on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar at the National Press Club. Soraghan covered the 2004 Senate race between Pete Coors and Salazar for the Post. Salazar won. Soraghan, now an energy reporter for E&E Publishing, surprised Salazar by wearing his old opponent's T-shirt to a press conference this week. Salazar stepped down from the U.S. Senate to become Interior Secretary when President Obama was elected.

According to White House officials, Michelle Obama will deliver remarks in Colorado Springs on Monday during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Warrior Games.

The game feature “(m)ore than 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will compete in the third annual Warrior Games, representing more than 9,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who are recovering from a variety of injuries,” says a White House press release. “The participants will compete in seven sports — wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, archery, swimming, track and field, shooting and cycling.”

The First Lady also will speak to Obama campaign volunteers in the Springs at a site to be determined. Both the Warrior Games Opening Ceremony and address to volunteers are closed to the general public.

That might explain the strong political support — among Colorado politicians and nationally — for extending the lower interest rates on Stafford loans, the federally-subsidized students loans awarded based on need.

Supporting higher education is a cause getting a lot of traction at the moment, but yet the public is uneasy and divided about sending more tax dollars to public higher education institutions.

A guest commentary, published on the Post’s opinion page today, makes the case that Colorado’s public support for higher education is shamefully inadequate and should be increased. Jeremy Dehn wrote:

…if we expect tuition to stay reasonable, and if we want the billions in benefits from an educated population, we need to make the decision to support higher education.

WASHINGTON — A new television ad will go up in Colorado and Nevada today hitting GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney for supporting tax subsidies for oil and gas companies.

Paid for by the Super PACs, League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund and Priorities USA Action, the ad is called “$200 Million Man.” It is part of a major campaign running on television and online in Colorado and Nevada beginning today. The ad is $1 million over two states, according to the groups.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.